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Building codes and Regulations

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softwareNerd

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This very well-written article describes the hurdles to building low-cost housing. It is about someone who wanted to build low-cost housing that could be rented out at $650 a month, instead of $950 a month. This meant building apartments for $70,000 each instead of $100,000 and more which is the norm.

 

Building codes are not just about safety. They also list all sorts of requirements that relate to convenience and quality. For instance, there are government standards on the size of rooms and on the spacing of electrical outlets. When the government funds a low-cost building, some additional rules apply (e.g. doors must be approved by HUD).

 

Of course, when the government is paying, the government needs to set rules. Being the government, bureaucracy adds cost: it is the nature of the beast. However, the government also imposes other agenda. For instance: the builder must use union labor, some percentage of minority contractors must be used, some green crap must be added. All this raises the cost.

 

The article is an example of good journalism, because the author delves into the details and paints a very clear picture. Well worth a read.

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